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Are you considering subscribing to Showtime? If so, you might not be familiar with all that it has to offer. After all, its popularity pales in comparison to Netflix and Hulu. But there are good reasons why people subscribe to Showtime - namely the platform's unique features and value. Let's take a closer look at what those features are and whether or not they're worth the cost.
How it Started
In 1976, Showtime was a premium television network that had a wide variety of programming including theater-released films, original TV series, sports events, and stand-up comedy. In the early 2000s, they launched Showtime on Demand to compete with HBO. In 2010, they released Showtime as a standalone service which has since become a force to be reckoned with in the premium-streaming arena.
How it Works
If you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can also access Showtime Anytime through the Prime Video app. However, if you only have an Amazon Prime account, then you will not have access to the Showtime Anytime app.
Many people are often confused about the differences between Showtime and Showtime Anytime. So here's the deal: If you subscribe to Showtime through a participating TV provider, you have access to the Showtime Anytime app at no additional cost. If you subscribe to Showtime through Amazon Prime, you can also access Showtime Anytime through the Prime Video app. However, if you only have an Amazon Prime account, then you will not have access to the Showtime Anytime app.
What?s Included
So, you're wondering what kind of content Showtime offers, and whether it can compete with the big boys. Well, rather than boasting a huge library like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video, Showtime focuses more on developing high-quality original programming. The philosophy here is definitely quality over quantity. Whereas the size of the library is minute compared to the industry giants, what that means is that there's less junk. Let's look at some of the series that belong to Showtime. Ready? - Shameless - Ray Donovan - Twin Peaks - Dexter - Who is America? - Kidding - Episodes - Homeland
The library has a good selection of movies, and they also offer a variety of sports programming. If you'd like to browse the library, you can check it out here. You can download anything from the library for offline use, and you'll never have to worry about commercials interrupting your favorite show.
Some people might find this to be a downside because they may not be able to find their favorite shows or movies on Showtime. However, those who appreciate quality programming will be satisfied with the selection.
This pickiness has an upside: rather than spending hours scrolling through an enormous library, with Showtime, what you see is what you get. You don't have to wade through the digital murk to find something good. Spent five minutes browsing, and you'll more or less see all there is to see. This is good - there are very few things more frustrating than sitting down to enjoy some downtime in front of the TV, only to be paralyzed by the endless possibilities on Netflix or Hulu.
If you're interested in streaming services that emphasize minimalism, HBO is a good option. It's similar to Showtime, but many people believe that HBO has better programming. It has some disadvantages, but it's worth reading more about it before you decide if it's the right choice for you.
Design of the Website
Showtime's landing page is simple and sleek. It's straightforward and clean, which makes it user-friendly. There is a single drop-down menu that displays all the subcategories you would want: series, movies, sports, comedy, documentaries, etc.
Mobile Experience
According to recent users, people have had a problem with the terms-and-conditions agreement you must consent to when downloading Showtime Anytime. Many believe that this agreement gives too much power to Showtime and is excessive. I don't know specifically what Showtime does with this data, but I think you should be aware of it.
Overall, I don't think Showtime Anytime is all that great. It's integration is a bit of a pain, and the performance isn't always great. In addition, it can be difficult to integrate with a Smart TV, and it may take multiple tries to get it working correctly. Finally, even if you do link it to your account, the app frequently requires you to log in again which is annoying. Showtime should fix this issue as soon as possible.
I have a cable subscription and the standard Showtime app works well for me. The download speeds are good and I haven't had any buffering problems, but the interface can be a bit confusing at times. When things are working smoothly, I don't have any complaints.
Prime Video?s Strengths
So, now that I've given Showtime a brief overview, let's recap its strengths. I really like the programming that this network offers, and although some prefer HBO, I'm going to stick by my guns and side with Showtime. Shows like Kidding, Who is America?, Shameless and Homeland are unique enough to win my nod of approval. Combined with commercial-free, downloadable content, an intuitive web client, and some decent live programming options, there's a lot to like here.
Prime Video?s Weaknesses
Still, even though Showtime isn't the most popular streaming service out there, there's a reason it's not the most popular. The library is fairly small, and if you don't like Showtime's original series, it's unlikely that its movies, documentaries, or comedy specials are going to be enough to sell you. Plus, it's $10.99/month which isn't cheap. These inconvenient mobile apps make it difficult to use too.
Suggestions
The division between Showtime Anytime and Showtime (the standalone service) makes it difficult for users to get the most out of both platforms. We understand that creating separate portals for those who are using a cable provider vs. those going directly through Showtime would make sense, but perhaps the company can find a way to integrate all its subscribers into one single platform. As it stands, Showtime has to split its resources between the two apps in order to keep them up-to-date and troubleshoot problems. I think having a single app would result in an expertly crafted end product.
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